Monday, September 1, 2008

Japan the wonderland 美しい日本

Last week, I hopped over to Japan for a few days, just to take my mind away from worries and frustration. Japan is such a beautiful and clean country with courteous people everywhere.

We woke up early everyday just to see as many places as we could during the short stay. I tried to get by with my rusty Japanese talking to local people that I ran into. Most people were helpful answering my questions. I even visited a women's club to inquire about the membership price. It was similar to "Curves for women" in the states, where women rotate to do aerobics and weight training using machines. Then I visited a children's cooking school. Kids were so cute to look at, and I pretended to be one of the parents waiting to pick up my child by sneaking in the parents' observatory area.

Food was wonderful and the presentations were just too pretty and classy. I miss the sukiyaki and oodon noodles especially. Oh, and we had hot spring baths in the hotel for two nights. Everywhere I went, I felt respected, and every morning when we left a hotel, the staff came out to say goodbye with bows and hand waves. It was so good to be treated as a honored guest.

To my surprise, the living expense in Fukuoka is very affordable and if I were to move to Japan, it would be my first choice. I wish to do some hiking around the volcano area and visit some local families if there is a chance to do so. I also want to try some of the farmer's tofu dishes if I ever go back to Aso. But first of all, I need to brush up my Japanese.

I think I left my heart in beautiful Japan! 私は日本を愛する

15 comments:

  1. Wow, you went to Japan to take a vacation. It's great. I took a trip to OKiNaWa last October. Yes, Japan is beautiful country. The street is so clean;Japanese is so polite. I remembered the tour guider tell us, if you leave something in the lobby, it won't be took away. Japanese doesn't took away things which not belonging to them.
    You are attentive to make the pictures broadcasting to record your trip. I want to learn the software to record my trips,too.

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  2. Hi, Chloe, thanks for the comment. Yes, I have the same impression of Japan as yours and I have to admit that it is a beautiful culture. During my trip, I missed my Japanese friends terribly but unfortunately I have moved too much to keep in touch with them. It would have been nice to meet up with them..Oh, well, the trip was still very nice. I will be happy to show you how to play around with technologies. It is fun and most people learn by self-taught.

    I need to remember to bookmark your blog..keep forgetting it..you have a nice weblog.

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  3. Yeah, MW! So glad to read about and see your lovely vacation in Fukuoka. I have a very good friend from there. She's currently working and living in Hiroshima. She's been begging us to visit her. Now, I'm inspired to do so!

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  4. Hey, MIT, you should accept the invitation from your friend in Japan and go see her and the country. The only thing I am concerned (don't laugh at me, okay?) about Hiroshima is the residue effect of radiation. I had the same concern when visiting Nagasaki. Don't laugh, okay?

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  5. I have a very nice friend who lives in Fukuoka. I'm so jealous you visited his city - and I'm jealous you visited the country of my dreams. ♥

    Glad you had fun in Japan!

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  6. The comment above is mine, using my portuguese blog account. ;) Just for the record.

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  7. Curves is a very popular place here in the USA. Interesting, that Japan has a similar sort of place. Sounds like an exciting trip for you. Perhaps someday it can be home. Would love to see a pic or 2 from the trip--please send.

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  8. Seems like you had a nice break, I'm glad. I like Japan for the same reasons as you. I lived in Hiroshima-ken for 2 years and have many fond memories of the place.

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  9. Amanda sweet, I love your plan about ditching the graduation party for a trip to Japan. Do it and make it a great memory. It is just such a beautiful culture and the more I think about it, the more I want to visit again. I think I can pick up the language very quickly. People were patient in trying to understand my fragmented Japanese. You, having been taking advanced classes, will have no problems getting around.

    Hi, Curt and Martin, thank you for visiting! Yes, Curt, I almost signed up for a membership for the women's gym in Japan just because they were trying hard to answer all my questions. I told them I was thinking about moving to the area and would like to have a regular work out place.

    There are pictures in this video, Curt.

    Martin, why would you want to leave Hiroshima ken? How far was it away from the city?

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  10. MW, I was in a town called Kure, about a 40 minute bus ride from Hiroshima city. I liked it a lot but I had a boring job there which got the better of me eventually...

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  11. Thanks, Martin. And you know what? I know exactly what you mean. I do.

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  12. Yes, I watched them a week ago. The pics are impressive!!!! This is a real documentary; feels like being there.

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  13. Thank you, my friend, for taking the time to visit and comment.

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  14. I'm jealous that you are four hours away from Japan and I'm sixteen hours away. Looks like you had a great trip, I hope all is well,

    Jef

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  15. Jeff, don't envy me. You had your moments in Japan, didn't you?

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